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Politicians are often accused of pandering to voters, of changing their opinions to fit the current political climate. Accusations of flip-flopping sank John Kerry's presidential campaign in 2004, and the same problem doomed Mitt Romney in 2008 — and threatens to do it again this cycle.

But they were hardly the first politicians to engage in a sudden change of heart over key issues. Even honest Abe once reversed course on a central campaign promise.

And while the term "flip-flop" carries a negative connotation, it's been proudly hailed as a positive characteristic by at least one president.